Main Entry:

de·fine

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈfīn\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

de·fined; de·fin·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin definire, from de- + finire to limit, end, from finis boundary, end

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of <whatever defines us as human> b: to discover and set forth the meaning of (as a word) c: to create on a computer <define a window> <define a procedure>2 a: to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate <rigidly defined property lines> b: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline <the issues aren't too well defined>3: characterize, distinguish <you define yourself by the choices you make — Denison University Bulletin>intransitive verb: to make a definition

— de·fine·ment \-ˈfīn-mənt\ noun

— de·fin·er \-ˈfī-nər\ noun